DOJ to Probe Baltimore at Maryland Delegation's Request

DOJ to Probe Baltimore at Maryland Delegation's Request

Article excerpt

Updated: 8:11 p.m. | Maryland Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin said Monday
the Justice Department is moving forward with an independent
investigation into the death of a Baltimore man who died in police
custody that has fueled days of protests and looting in the city.

The Justice Department announced the criminal probe April 21.

Cardin and fellow Maryland Democrat Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski told
reporters that Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Gov. Larry Hogan
were working closely together to quell the violence and vandalism
that has erupted in the city.

As the sun set on Baltimore after an afternoon of police clashes
with protesters, the two veteran Maryland lawmakers attempted to put
the nationally televised images of violence into perspective.

According to Mikulski, approximately 300 high school students
vandalized private property and lashed out at police, which she
condemned as "very regrettable," pointing out it was only a small
number compared to the number of people who were protesting non-
violently.

"The violence toward police, toward private property and the
disrespect to Freddie Gray -- he was laid to rest today in an
enormously dignified way," Mikulski said. "But of the 300 kids that
rioted, 85,000 went home."

In a statement released early Monday night, Mikulski said: "It's
time for calm. It's time for the kids to go home. It's time to
remember the vast majority of Baltimore's citizens are law abiding."

Mikulski she had been in touch with Rawlings-Blake and a school
superintendent and was waiting to hear what additional help the
mayor needed from the federal government. Cardin said he believed
his office may have been in touch with Hogan's office.

Neither Mikulski nor Cardin weighed in on whether the National
Guard needs to be called into the city, with Mikulski instead
expressing support for Hogan and Rawlings-Blake.

Cardin and Mikulski, along with Democratic Maryland Reps. Elijah
E. Cummings, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger and John Sarbanes, sent a
letter on April 21 requesting the federal criminal and civil rights
investigation into the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray of
Baltimore.

"While the vast majority of police officers act within the law to
serve and protect their communities, incidents like this degrade the
trust necessary to maintain the relationship between law enforcement
and communities," the legislators wrote. …

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